KU News Release

KU reclaims No. 1 ranking in varsity debate

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas debate team ends the semester ranked No. 1 in the nation in the National Debate Tournament rankings for varsity teams.

The National Debate Tournament ranks teams in December and April of each year based on points earned by teams in a variety of tournaments. Varsity rankings are based on the top two senior division teams from a school’s performance in eight tournaments.

KU ranks ahead of the University of Georgia, Wayne State University, Oklahoma University and Emory University in the varsity rankings, which include 102 university debate teams.

“We are very proud of the fact that the debate team has been No. 1 in the varsity rankings for more than a year now,” said Scott Harris, KU debate coach. “It is a reflection of the work ethic of the entire debate team. We are especially proud to accomplish this with a squad of all students from the state of Kansas.”

In the overall rankings, KU ranked fourth out of 113 National Debate Tournament schools. Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., was ranked first. Overall rankings are based on the top two teams from a school at eight tournaments.

Last April, KU debaters ended the 2005-06 season ranked No. 1 in the nation in the National Debate Tournament varsity rankings. Early in the 2006-07 season, KU debaters enjoyed a first in the nation ranking by the National Debate Tournament and the Cross Examination Debate Association.

Last month, KU’s debate coach was named national Coach of the Year during the Franklin R. Shirley Classic Debate Tournament, Nov. 11-13 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Debate season concludes March 29-April 2 with the National Debate Tournament in Dallas, Texas.

KU student debaters are listed below by name, hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names and high school.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66213
Lindsay Lathrop, senior in political science with a minor in African and African-American studies, daughter of Robert and Kelly Lathrop; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Kyle Shermuk, junior in pre-medicine, son of Kurt and Pamela Shermuk; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Chris Thomas, freshman in political science, son of Denise Stock; Blue Valley Northwest High School.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Nate Johnson, junior in political science and pre-law, son of Ron and Betty Johnson; Manhattan High School.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67206
Brett Bricker, junior in mathematics, son of Gary and Norma Bricker; Wichita High School Southeast.

From Wichita 67207
Joel Kasten, freshman in political science, son of Roger and Leah Kasten; Wichita High School Southeast.

From Wichita 67208 and 67218
Dylan Quigley, freshman in philosophy, son of Tim Quigley (67218) and Trix Niemberger (67208); Wichita High School East.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Silver Lake 66539
Andrew Jennings, junior in political science, son of Joe and Kathy Jennings, Silver Lake Junior-Senior High School.

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